Bought some Ottomax coils for the front and I tried my best, but....


I guess my best wasn't good enough.

Anyone know if there's a trick to this, what all is needed, the steps, pics, diagrams?

I appreciate it, been looking at the coils sitting in the garage for a few months now.

Thanks!!

 

• Jack up truck
• Remove tire
• Place jack stand under frame rail
• Jack up under outer end of front axle and jack up slightly
• Remove the lower shock mount bolt
• You may need to remove the caliper for access
• Remove the upper retainer bolt and retainer
• Remove the lower spring retainer nut (it's in the middle of the spring)
• Lower jack slightly and remove spring

When you reinstall the spring it says you need to push down on the axle to install the spring, I would highly recommend removing the old one the same way to insure that there is no tension on the spring
Torque for the upper retainer is 26ftlb and 99ftlb for the lower

 

1st off, I really appreciate the help a bunch. 2nd one question please, going to ask near the steps you gave.


• Jack up truck
• Remove tire
• Place jack stand under frame rail
• Jack up under outer end of front axle and jack up slightly
• Remove the lower shock mount bolt
• You may need to remove the caliper for access
• Remove the upper retainer bolt and retainer
• Remove the lower spring retainer nut << How do I do this and what size wrench please? This was my hang up last time, did eveything as stated but this kicked my pants.
• Lower jack slightly and remove spring
.

Torque specs, you don't know how much I'm thankful for you including these. I used to gorilla tighten everything, now I torque to spec everything I can.

For anyone else (off topic) oil drain bolt torque spec is 27 ft lbs.

 

So now, once again I'm at a complete loss as how to get to the lower spring bolt. The
1/2" rachet doesn't fit and I don't think I'll be able to get enough muscle behind a 3/8" ratchet.
I don't have a open ended wrench this size, but even if I did the angle is awkward and I think I would end up stripping the bolt.




Thanks

 

Book says it's easier to use a long extension from the top but you can get it with a wrench, I do not know what size wrench it is.

 

3/8" craftsman ratchet and a foot or three of pipe works... when you strip the gears get a new ratchet. Or a 3/8" breaker bar with a pipe. Or beat the ratchet with a hammer.

 

Thanks guys! Yey all the tools listed I don't have, always use 1/2".

 

...or use the 3/8" socket and a 1/2" to 3/8" adapter so you can use the half inch drive breaker bar.

Go to Harbor Freight if you have one nearby. If not then Lowe's. HD does not have a good selection if you only need a piece out of a whole set.

 

That lower bolt will be a rusted-on SOB. Before working on it, I would soak the area with PB or Kroil so that you have a fighting chance of loosening that bolt. Soak it every day for a week.

A light duty socket will not cut the mustard. Recommend borrowing an impact drive socket if you want to get it from above, or a heavy duty combination wrench to get at it from between the coils. I'd try the combo wrench.

Lou Braun

 

Going to try the impact and extensions, thanks for the help. Will def. spray the bolt and let it soak for a bit. Thanks for the reminder.

 

If you have a front sway bar, unbolt the end of that too so it will drop farther and give you a little more room. If you still can't do it, let me know and you can drive south a little ways to my place and we'll take them off here. I've changed my front coils and added a leveling kit before so I've had them off a few times.

 

I appreciate that a lot Chris. I bought the longest ext. and then another shorter one. Hopefully they will reach so I can use the impact on them.
If this doesn't work I will take you up on your offer, thank you.

 

It looks like on the driver's side I can remove the airbox and get access, but passenger side, no way.
Only thing else I can try is unbolt the end of the way bar like you said and hopefully it will allow me to get access through the spring.
Chris what's the secret, or I don't know where you're located but willing to make the drive.

 

You need to be using a jack stand and a jack. Jack stand under the frame and a jack under the I-beam supporting the spring. Once the upper spring retainer is removed, and so is the shock and sway bar, lower the jack and the suspension will drop far enough the top of the spring comes out of the seat and then leans outward. Then just drop the extension down through the top of the spring.

I'm about 15 miles North of Hillsboro.